Arrow AutoCAT 2 Series Operating Manual page 62

ALARM CONDITIONS
When the MAP or AUG is below the alarm limit for a specified period of time, a Class 3
Alert will sound and the following message will be displayed:
ARTERIAL PRESSURE ALARM
ARTERIAL PRESSURE HAS FALLEN BELOW SET LIMIT:
1.CHECK AP FOR DISCONNECT
2. ASSESS PATIENT HEMODYNAMICS
3. RESET ALARM LIMIT
The time to alarm will vary depending on the parameter selected for the alarm and the
assist ratio of the pump.
MAP: The MAP alarm will be issued when the MAP is below the alarm limit for 8
consecutive seconds. This alarm is available when pumping and when not pumping.
AUG: The AUG alarm is only available while pumping, since this is the only time the
AUG is present. If the pump is in 1:1 or 1:2 assist, the alarm will be issued when the
AUG is below the alarm limit for 5 consecutive beats. When the assist ratio is 1:4 or 1:8
the alarm will be issued within 30 seconds, independent of how many assisted beats have
occurred. This will prevent alarms on 1 or 2 assisted beats only.
The alarm will automatically reset if the selected parameter goes above the alarm limit.
The user can also reset the alarm manually be pressing the RESET key. If the alarm has
been manually reset and the AP parameter remains below the alarm limit for 3
consecutive minutes, the audio alarm will sound again. The alarm message will remain
on the screen as long as the alarm limit is violated.
It is important to assess the patient hemodynamics and also check for disconnects in the
AP set-up. If the alarm limit is too high, the user should consider resetting the limit. If
you change AP SOURCE during the AP alarm, and the new AP source is above the
alarm limit, the alarm will be reset. It is important to check the original AP SOURCE
where the alarm was detected to verify that no disconnect has occurred.
If the AP alarm is being used primarily to monitor for AP disconnect, the MAP should be used, as the alarm
is available when the pump is pumping and when the pump is not pumping. The AUG alarm is only available
when the pump is pumping. This may not alert the user to disconnection under all conditions.
Switching the AP SOURCE during an AP alarm could reset the alarm even if a serious condition, such as a
tubing disconnection has occurred. Even if the alarm has been reset, the user should verify that the
AP source (transducer or monitor) lines are intact and that bleeding from the source of the AP alarm has
3 . P r i n c i p l e s o f O p e r a t i o n
3 . 3 : C o n t r o l K e y s a n d F u n c t i o n K e y s
CAUTION
CAUTION
not occurred.
AP Alarms
3-35